Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Success in Resolution
One form of resolution is the determination to effect change by the power of word and will.
Among the reasons such resolutions fail:
• too much is attempted at once;
• no specific plan is made;
• without accountability or other support, moments of failure become permanent.
A more significant reason for failure is focus on negative action ("I will not ...") rather than affirmative action ("I will ...") Eliminating something creates a void. Whatever has our attention is most likely to fill that void. We effect change not by looking back to what has been, but by visualizing success and working toward it—and then empowering the vision with necessary components of words and will.
There is a third component which determines success or failure in resolution.
Words and will lead us.
But worship leads words and will.
"That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
We worship what we esteem and trust so much—whether it is good or bad—that we look to it with reliance in moments of question, or weakness, or desire for satisfaction.
God most certainly uses people and things to answer us, to strengthen and reassure us, to satisfy our healthy desires. But He is the Provider. Only God is God. Anything else we worship is an idol.
We do not weaken our reliance upon idols by saying, "I will not worship ..." We instead strengthen our reliance upon God with "Everyday Worship" (yesterday's post).
"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship ..."
~ John 4:22 (NKJV)
Success in both good and bad resolutions comes through the power of word, will, and worship.
Know what you worship.
: : :
This post is part of the "One Word at a Time" blog carnival hosted by Peter Pollock. You're invited to visit his site and see what others are saying about today's one-word theme: Resolution.
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
"Worship leads words and will." YES! Worship and prayer set the tone for everything we do. Thanks for reminding of the crucial part of worship in our every day affairs. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings back to you, Mari-Anna. To worship and pray without ceasing is truly possible, but only with His empowerment. It changes
ReplyDeleteEVERYTHING.
Nice post. Interesting how often the very gifts God blesses us with become the very idols in our lives. It is a constant daily struggle against our flesh. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great to keep in mind when I make resolutions so I don't fall into those pitfalls.
ReplyDelete"Know what you worship." Good! We're all worshiping something, whether we realize it or not. I want to make sure that who I'm worshiping is the One worthy of worship. Thanks for the thoughts, Anne.
We seem, Floyd, to never break utterly free of blessings idolatry. We seek our Maker's face, and then allow our gaze to drop to His hand, and then to the gift of His hand. I praise Him for whatever He allows to draw our hearts back to His face.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I pray that the Lord will lead and empower you as you both make and keep resolutions to be more like His Son. : )
ReplyDeleteWonderful post here. Resolved to make all I do a worship to the Lord. Giving, volunteering, blogging, sharing and what ever else He tells me.
ReplyDeleteHazel Moon, I pray that the Lord empower you to fulfill that resolution, to His glory!
ReplyDeleteThat's great advice for all of us -- Know what you worship. Good post, Anne.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glynn, for being an encourager to so many people. I really do look forward to the day we meet.
ReplyDelete